Elton (Art and DT)

Overview

Setting

All delivery to be
on the premises of Elton (Art and DT).

Background and
rationale

For the last two
Projects, the school has addressed reading and ICT. The staff have expressed
the need now to consider foundation subjects - in particular, art and DT which,
they feel, complement each other. The last Ofsted report suggested that DT was
not as soundly taught as other subjects. A staff audit has realised where there
is a need to support staff skills in DT. At the same time, the school, whilst intending to work towards the Arts
Mark, is looking to develop creativity within the curriculum and to further a
tradition of creative work in the school.

Project Report

Phase 1

The teaching and
classroom support staff were divided into three vertical groups with an average
of five in each. Each group was given time to discuss possible themes and a
focus of activity for each. Following these discussions each team met with project
tutor to explain their outline plans. Discussions centred on feasibility,
appropriateness to project aims, and logistics. Each team were then given time
to refine ideas in preparation for final discussion with project tutor, during
which further necessary input, such as practical workshops for staff, were
identified.

Phase 2

Delivery of three
practical workshops.

Phase 3

Final meetings
between groups and project tutor to consolidate each group's plans in the light
of workshop activities.

Phase 4

Running of projects
by the staff with their pupils.

Phase 5

Plenary and
evaluation.

Commentary

After phase 1, it
was clear that each group had totally different requirements and had different
approaches in their thinking. At phase 3 it was clear that everyone had made
real progress in modifying and refining their planning. Two workshops in
digital imaging and presentation software, and one in wire sculpture were
delivered to staff at phase 2 in response to their initial ideas and
requirements.

The projects were
run by staff with their pupils in the final weeks of the summer term involving:

Sculpture: figures from around the world
in traditional costume or football strip.

Implications

The whole project
was very wide-ranging in scope and media. The staff, with their involvement in
planning and initiating ideas and starting-points, had complete ownership of
the whole project. This has long-term implications in giving the project
sustainability.